A Las Vegas man struck three convenience stores in a violent crime spree before dawn on Christmas Eve 2014, terrorizing clerks at knifepoint — and now, he’s paying the price behind bars. Eddie Junior Rodriguez, 46, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson for three armed robberies committed in less than two hours.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty on Aug. 2, 2016, to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery — a federal charge often used in violent theft cases that affect interstate business. According to court documents, the first heist began at approximately 3:30 a.m. at a Speedee Mart on Dec. 23, 2014, when Rodriguez walked in, flashed a knife at a lone employee, and demanded cash from the register.
Not satisfied, he struck again just 30 minutes later at a second Speedee Mart location, repeating the same chilling script — knife in hand, threats in the air, money demanded. By 5:00 a.m., he had hit a third store, Snackers, where he once more brandished a blade and forced an employee to hand over cash.
The brazen string of robberies set off an immediate investigation by the FBI, which used surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to track Rodriguez down. Federal prosecutors moved swiftly to ensure he faced consequences for targeting small businesses and endangering workers in the dead of night.
“The defendant was brazen and robbed three convenience stores in less than two hours,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada. “Working with the FBI and our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing violent crime in Nevada and keeping our communities safe.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Michael, who emphasized the danger posed by Rodriguez’s actions. With the sentence now handed down, federal authorities are closing the book on a cold holiday morning crime wave that left store workers shaken — and a criminal off the streets for the next four-plus years.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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